Hawkeye
Platform: Commodore 64
Gametype: Undefined
_________________________

Description 

Thalamus, known for its ingeniously well-engineered and extremely perfectionist games, released with Hawkeye a really precious game. Here you control a man -half human, half robot- that fights through 12 levels and additionally collects some puzzle pieces on the way. If he has collected 4 puzzle pieces, he can leave the level (on the right side) and enter a new level. Each level differs graphically and was desgined very successfully for C64 measures. 

It is easier to channel through the alien attacks when you carry with you a fair weapon armoury. In the SLF, the Synthetic Life Form, this is well equipped. There is e.g. the simple pistol with countless ammunition, then some heavier cannonry but with limited munitions: a machine gun, a laser (very efficient!), and a rocket launcher (slow, but the strongest weapon). Every now and then you can find lying on the way next to the puzzle pieces some additional munition and other options, which come in handy. Technically everything knows to please, starting from the stirring music by Charles Deneen and Jeroen Tel, over the graphics designed by real artists, the fantastic playability, to the whole design which could not have been made better. Even a bonuslevel is available... but to reach it without cheating is only manageable for real joystick acrobats. 

 Design 

Every level consists of several screens which are attached together and scroll back and forth. If you have collected all puzzle pieces, it might be worth to go back again to maybe find a useful extra in the level. By each grade is gets a bit harder, but not unfair; I once made it to level 11 and I think you can play it to the end without cheating. Every now and then really big grumps appear in the level, against which you should, depending on the situation, use the bigger weapons. 

 Hints 

The direction in which the puzzle and extra pieces can be found, can be recognized by the flashing eagle eye (Hawkeye), which are placed top left and right; this way you do not waste unnecessarily time and energy with searching. From the "Header" you can also see how many puzzle pieces you have collected already. 

Tips 
 When you have collected all 4 puzzle pieces, there are two reasons why you should not straight away leave the first levels: 
 As long as you still have enough energy, shoot the rest of the munition to reach more points. 
 Collect further puzzle pieces if possible. (with the question mark-puzzle, there is e.g. an extra life possible) 

 When the game is over prematurely (GAME OVER), you have the possibility to play the last level again with endless lives so you can make it next time. 
 Pause: RUN/STOP  
 End and restart: press the T  key during pause mode 

Controls with joystick 

To jump press the joystick upwards. HAWKEYE moves diagonally to the uper left or right, as long as the joystick is pressed into the corresponding direction. You can do jumps over different distances. 

Choosing weapons: Keep fire pressed until the icon lights up and then press "left" or "right" to choose the desired weapon. 

Keyboard commands 

On the title screen: 

F1  - Music on/off 

F2  - FX sound on/off 

F3  - Demo mode on/off 

In the game: (choosing weapons) 

F1  - Pistol (unlimited munition, but does only little damage to bigger monsters) 

F3  - Machine gun 

F5  - Laser 

F7  - Rocket launcher 

 Cheats 

There is a secret level. You get there automaticall when you make the first five (!) levels without loosing a life. Oh, great! 
On some depths precise jumping is the most important premise. But when you press RUN/STOP at the same time, the jumping width doubles and as a useful side effect the sprites are shifted in the scrolling direction. 
On the title screen you should enter »VALSSPELER«, to get a clear line to level 9.


http://www.c64-wiki.com/index.php/Hawkeye
